She said, “I was kidding. … I mean, no. But she’s been one of my favorite artists of all time, since I can remember, so it’s weird that everything (the drama on ‘Idol’) was blown up like that. It didn’t make me happy at all because she knows how much I adore her.

“Some of my best childhood memories with my mom are from Mariah’s music. I can’t deny that and I can’t take away what she’s done in my life and in just pop culture in general, and having one of the most amazing voices in the world.

“So, having said that, I’m an adult and we’re passionate on the set and sometimes when you’re a passionate woman it kinda ruffles other women’s feathers, but I’m gonna continue to be Nicki Minaj.”